Machine and method for making flexible shafting



Sept. 1941- c. FISCHER 2,255,108

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE SHAFTING Filed Oct. 7, 1938 5 MHHHH INVENTOR zlscher 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. FISCHER Sept. 9, 1941.

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE SHAFTING v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. '7, 1938 Patented Sept. 9, 1941 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE SHAFTING Charles Fischer, New York, N. Y., assignor to Sidney Fischer and Emanuel M. Fischer Application October I, 1938, Serial No. 233,731

22 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for manu- -factoring flexible shafting and to the method for making such shafting.

Flexible metallic shafting, consisting of a core wire and a plurality of layers each of one or more helically coiled wrapping wires wound about the core wire, has usually been made heretofore in lengths of a size limited to the length of the available floor space. After theflrst layer of wire is wrapped around the core wire, the resulting partially finished shafting is used as a core in place of the core wire and again wrapped in the opposite direction with a second layer, the operation being repeated for each layer.

Hereinafter, the term core will be used to designate both the central core wire and also the unfinished shafting resulting from the wrapping of the core wire with less than the total required number of layers of wrapping wires, particularly when the unfinished shafting is fed to the machine for wrapping another layer thereabout.

Those machines which have been devised to produce flexible shafting in unlimited lengths,

by the inclusion of a feed means for the flexible shafting or cable, are comparatively complicated and necessarily include a revolving bobbin head carrying a plurality of spools of wire. It is impossible in practice to maintain equal weights and lengths of the unused wire in the various spools. This results in an unbalancing of the rapidly rotating head with consequent serious disadvantages and requires the use of spools carrying a limited length and weight of wire which must frequently be replaced. Those machines which are entirely automatic, that is, in which the various layers of wire are wrapped progressively in the machine without removal of the cable from the machine, are highly in tricate and expensive to operate.

My invention contemplates the provision of simple but efficient and comparatively inexpensive means for producing flexible shafting or cable in continuous and unlimited lengths, said means occupying a comparatively small length of floor space.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a machine for-making continuous flexible shafting or cable, in which machine the bobbin head and spools are mounted on a stationary support which does not rotate, the spools thereby being easily accessible for replacement when empty and there being no material limitation to the size or weight of the spools.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means for feeding the cable longitudinally as well as for simultaneously rotating the cable, whereby the wrapping operation can be performed in a comparatively small space with the aid of a suitable take-up mechanism and without the necessity for the use of a rotating bobbin head or flier.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means for continuously making unlimited lengths of flexible shafting and comprising a stationary bobbin stand, a rotating core spool or centrifugal rotary take-off mechanism, a fixed unit to guide and wrap wire around therotating core, a rotating head to rotate the shafting while simultaneously advancing it longitudinally and a centrifugal take-up mechanism rotating in unison with the head. a

My invention further contemplates the provision of a simple and efficient method for making flexible shafting in unlimited lengths which includes the rotation of the shafting and its simultaneous longitudinal advance to cause the wrapping of non-rotating wires around the core of the shafting.

The various objects of the invention will be clear from the description which follows and from the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of t same.

Fig. 2a is a similar view of the/same showing an alternative form of the core take-oif mechan1sm.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ,rotating head which feeds the wire longitudinally and simultaneously rotates it.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the same, partly in section.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section of the wrapping wire guide which performs the wrapping of the core.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of a partly .wrapped cable showing the core and the first wrapping layer thereon.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same showing a second layer wrapped on the first layer and in the opposite direction.

In the practical embodiment of my invention which I have shown by way of example, the bed ill of the machine is suitably supported as by means of legs ll, and itself supports the various instrumentalities of the machine including the feed head l2, the wrapping unit IS, the stationary bobbin stand i4, and the rotating caretakeoil mechanism I5 of Fig. 2, or the alternate centrifugal take-off mechanism 22 of Fig. 2a.

It may be well to state here how the machine operates in general in order that the subsequent detailed description may be more readily understood. It being assumed that the extreme leftend portion of the core wire I6, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, has been properly wrapped in the manner hereinafter described in detail with a first layer l'l consistingof any number of wires, such as the four wrapping wires 8, l8, I9 and 20, said initially wrapped end is passed between the rolls of the head I2 to be gripped thereby, ready for the longitudinal feeding movement thereof and the simultaneous rotation thereof. The wrapping wires 8, l8, I9 and having been properly threaded into the stationary wrapping unit I3, and the core wire I6 also having been'threaded centrally into the wrapping unit, rotation of the head I2 feeds and also rotates the initially wrapped end as well as the core wire and also advances the wrapping wires toward the left, the advance of the wires causing the wrapping wires 8, I8, I9 and 20 to be drawn through the stationary unit l2 and wrapped around the retating core wire I6. Said core wire while being fed is withdrawn from the take-off mechanism I5 which is rotated at the same speed of rotation as that of the head I2. The rotating wrapped cable thus formed is fed into the centrifugal take-off mechanism 2I which is also rotated in unison with the rotation of the cable.

After the first layer of wrapping wires has been thus applied, the operation is repeated using the cable thus formed as a core. A second centrifugal rotating mechanism 22 (Fig. 2a) is used as the take-off for the wrapped core I'l, said mechanism 22 being used. in place of the core wire take-off I5. The product of the machine may be used as a core as many times as may be desired to wrap any desired number of layers 01' wrapping wire thereabout.

The rotating feed head I2 will now be described. As shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, said head comprises a number of feed rolls arranged in coacting pairs and in longitudinal alignment. The rolls rotate on their respective axes to feed the cable and are also rotated bodily about the axis of the core wire while they are infirm gripping contact with the wrapped end of the cable. As shown, three pairs of rolls are provided, though it will be understood that any number of such pairs may be used, as is found convenient or desirable. The first pair I23, 23 of the rolls are mounted respectively on the shafts 24, 25 for rotation therewith, the second pair 26, 21 being mounted'on the'shafts 28, 28 respectively and the third pair 36, 3| being mounted on the shafts 32, 33 respectively, all of said shafts being parallel and supported in suitable bearings in the frame 34. At one end, the frame 34 terminates in the hollow shaft 35 supported in the bearing 36, and at its other end terminates in the shaft 31 supported in the spaced bearings 38, 39. A suitable pulley as 46 is fixed to the shaft 31 and rotates the frame 34 and the rolls mounted thereon by any suitable means such as the belt 4 I.

Fixed within the shaft 35 is the stationary hollow shaft 42 provided with a central opening 43 for the passage therethrough of the wrapped cable. The shaft 42 is held in fixed position in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of the set screw 44 in the bearing 45 (Fig. 2'). Near one of its ends, said fixed shaft 42 carries -to the shaft 48.

Suitable gearing is provided for transmitting the rotation of said worm shaft 46 to the roll shafts. As shown, the gear 48 fixed to the worm shaft meshes with the gear 58 carried by the frame, the latter gear in turn meshing with the gear 5I on one end of the shaft 52 passing transversely through the frame. On the other end of said shaf t 52 is the gear 53 meshing with the gear 54 on the roll shaft 33 and also with the gear 55 on the roll shaft 29. The gear 54 meshes with a similar gear on the roll shaft 32 and the gear 55 meshes with a similar gear on the roll shaft 26. An intermediate gear 56 meshes with the gear 55 and with the gear 51 on the roll shaft 25, saidgear 51 in turn meshing with a similar gear on the roll shaft 25. The gears on the various roll shafts being of the same diameter, the rolls all rotate about their respective axes at the same speed.

-It will thus be seen that on the rotation of the frame 34 by the pulley 40, the various pairs of rolls are rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 to feed the wrapped cable Iongitudinally. Each of the rolls is provided with a suitable circumferentially extending annular groove as '58 of the proper diameter to receive the wrapped cable I1 and to grip said cable sufficiently to advance it longitudinally. Rotation of the rolls about their own axes causes the longitudinal advance of the cable through the gearing hereinbefore mentioned. Rotation of the frame 34 about the axis of the core wire I6 which is the same axis as that of the Wrapped cable I! as well as the axis of the fixed shaft 42, causes the entire wrapped cable as well as the core wire I6 to rotate at the same time that it is longitudinally fed by the rolls. It is the rotation of the cable which causes the wrapping of the wires 8, I8, I9 and 26 around the core wire in a manner which will now be described.

Such wrapping is accomplished by means of the wrapping unit I3. Preferably, the unit comprises a base 60 which is normally clamped to the bed I0 at the left end of the dovetail track 6| as by means of a suitable clamp 62 of any well known type. The base carries the stationary wire guide plate 63 (Fig. 5) which plate is provided with suitable hardened bushings 64, through each of which one of the wrapping wires 8, I8, I9 and 20 is passed. A hollow adjusting screw 65, through which passes the core wire I6 and which terminates at its left in a conical portion 66, is carried by the guide plate. Suitably mounted on the standard 61, upstanding from the base of the wrapping unit, is the longitudinally extending stationary hollow member 68, which cooperates with the adjusting screw 65 to properly wrap the wrapping wires with the required tightness and at the proper pitch. Said member 68 is longitudinally adjusted as by means of the adjusting nut 69 being held in its adjusted position by the lock screw 10.

Projecting from the end of the member 68 adjacent the screw 65, are the pins II, one for each of the wrapping wires, said wires after passing through the bushing 64 and being each bent ing bobbin head or flier.

through the bushings 84 past the pins 1| and causes said wires to be wrapped around the core wire l6, since said core wire advances as well as.rotates during the feed of the cable. The relative adjustment of the member 88 with respect to the plate 83 and of the screw end 65 relatively to the opening in the member 68 insures proper tight wrapping at the required pitch in a manner which will now be understood.

. Since the cable |1 advances longitudinally, the wires 8, I8, I 9 and 28 are drawn from the spools 12, I12, 13, 14 respectively, which spools are caused to rotate under the pull on said wires during the wrapping operation without, however,

causing any rotation of the wrapping wires. For

maintaining the wrapping wires in tension, the spools are mounted on suitable fixed supports as fixed to the bobbin stand l4 and provided with suitable adjustable spring means for resisting rotation of the spools while permitting them to be .readily removed and replaced when empty with full spools.

Said wrapping wires 8, 8, l9 and not being rotated, it becomes unnecessary to use any rotat- On the other hand, since the core I6 is rotated, it becomes advisable to rotate the spool bobbin or take-ofi head which carries the core wire. As shown in Fig. 2, the take-ofi for the core wire i8 comprises the hollow shaft 18 mounted in suitable bearings and carryingthe pulley 11 operated by the belt 18 at the same speed of rotation as that of the head l2. Carried by said shaft 16 is the frame 18 on which is mounted the cross shaft 19 carrying the core spool 80. Suitable springs as 8| are interposed between the spool and the frame to resist rotation of the spool to a sufficient extent to maintain the core wire i6 taut or under the proper tension. When any of the spools I12, 12, 13, 14 or 88 have been emptied of wire, it is a comparatively simple matter to halt the machine, remove the empty spool and replace it with a spool full of wire. The wire from the full spool is then threaded into the machine ready for the continuation of the operation.

The wrapped cable I1 is ejected from the machine at the left end thereof, being fed longitudinally toward the left by the rolls of the feed head I 2 as hereinbefore described. A suitable tube as 82, suitably supported as by means of the bracket 83, is provided to direct the cable into the centrifugal take-up mechanism 2| (Fig. 2). The take-up mechanism comprises the container 84, provided with a removable cover 35 having a central opening 88 therein for the passage into the container of the rotating cable l1. The container 84 is rotated at the same number of revolutions 'per minute as the cable l1 so that as the rotating cable enters the container, the centrifugal force developed by the rotation of the container causes the cable to hug the inner wall of.

the container thereby to lay the cable in successive turns inside of the container. The rotation of the container at the same speed as that of the cable enables the deposit of the cable in the container in spite of the. rotation of the cable about its own axis. Rotation of the container is effected by the container shaft 81 carrying the bevel gear 88 which meshes with the bevel gear 89 on the shaft 88. The sprocket wheel 8|, also mounted on the shaft 88 is connected by the belt chain 82 or the flexible connecting element to the sprocket wheel 83 on the shaft 81. The dimensions of the various gears and sprocket wheels are such that the speed of rotation of the containeris the same as that of the cable, as has been hereinbefore indicated.

When it is desired to use the cable M (Fig. 7) as a core to wrap the succeeding layer 84 thereabout and in the opposite direction, said "layer consisting for example of the wires 95, I95, 98 and 81; the machine is halted, the cable l1 iscut where it emerges from the pipe 82,'and the coil 88 of cable deposited by the machine in the container 84 is removed and placed in the container of the centrifugal take-oi! mechanism 22. Said mechanism being substantially identical with the take-up mechanism 2|, no description thereof is necessary. It will be understood, however, that the take-off mechanism 2| for a previously wrapped core is an alternate take-ofl-to the single wire core take-off I5 and is used in place thereof and not simultaneously therewith. The cable I1 is threaded through the take-off pipe I08 (Fig. 2a) into position for insertion into the unit l3, and from the pipe is led into the wrapping unit l3 through the screw 85 and through the member 68. It will be understood that owing to the difference in diameters of the core l6 and the cables l1 and 84, when the cables wrapped with one or more layers are used as cores, certain parts, such as 68, 65 and the like may be replaced by similar part having the proper bores therein for subsequent operations, and that the rolls of the feed head may be replaced or adjusted for such operations or a diflerent feed head substituted.

It is advisable that the extreme left-end portion of the cable substituted for the core wire l8 b first initially wrapped with the wrapping wires 95, I95, 81 and 98 before the thus wrapped cable is threaded into the grip of the rolls of the feed head l2. This initial and partial wrapping is accomplished after threading the cable through the member 88 and after adjustment of said member and the adjusting screw 85 by securing the left end of the cable together with the left ends of the wires 95, I95, 91, 88 in the revoluble chuck |0l on the shaft 31 (see Fig. 4). Said chuck is provided with suitable releasable cable and wire gripping jaws aslll2, operated by the screws I03 to secure the cable and the wrapping wires in the chuck. Rotation of the shaft 31 rotates the chuck and the cable and wrapping wires gripped thereby.

To effect the preliminary or initial wrapping of the left end of the core, after the wires and cable have been secured to the chuck, the clamp 82 is loosened so that the wrapping unit I3 is free to move in the track 6| under the pressure of the wrapping wires. The chuck |||l being then rotated, the cable and the left ends of the wrapping wire are rotated while maintained by the chuck against any longitudinal movement. Such rotation of the wires to the left of the wrapping unit l3, causes the wrapping wires to wrap themselves around the core .and thereby to form the next succeeding layer on the left-end portion of the cable, the length of said layer being sumcient to permit the threading of the wrapped cable between the pairs of feed rolls. As the wrapping operation Just described proceeds, pressure tothe cable core and the forcible insertion of said wires between the screw and the member 88. Such pressure forces the wrapping unit I: to move toward the right in its track 8| away from the point where the wrapping wires join the core until the unit reaches the end of the track, whereupon the machine is halted. The thus wrapped cable end is then loosened from the chuck by loosening the screws I03 and is threaded through the hollow shaft 31 into the bight of the rolls 22, 23 etc. of the feed head thereby carrying the unit it toward the left end of its track 8|. where it is clamped in place.

The operation of the machine may then proceed, such operation being eil'ective on the rotation of the feed head II, the take-oil! 22 and the take-up 2| and the consequent simultaneous rotation and longitudinal movement of the cable, to wrap a layer of wrapping wires continuously upon the cable in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with the cor l6. As many layers of wrapping wire as may be desired may be similarly wound on the previously wrapped cable used as a core, it being understood that at the start of the operation, the feed head i2 is not used, but that the wires are all gripped by the chuck, and the wrapping unit is loosened to move a sufllcient distance in its track to wrap of flexible shaftlng provided with a core and with .wrapping wires wound around the core, means the length of cable needed for insertion into the uous length of cable desired.

It will also be understood that on wrapping operations after the first, the centrifugal takeofi 22 is used, while the take-oil l5 remains inoperative, and that the feed head l2 or its rolls and other parts may be replaced by others adapted to the changed diameter of the cable. It will further be understood that the production of continuous lengths of cable is eifected, not by the use of rotating fliers or bobbins, but by the simultaneous advance and rotation of the core whether the core is a single wire or a wrapped cable, and that my machine is therefore simple and eficient and well designed to meet the requirements of practical use.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto. but intend to claim the invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described. cable advancing and rotating means comprising a revoluble support, a plurality of pairs of coacting grooved rolls carried by the support and revoluble therewith, means responsive to rotation of the support for rotating the rolls about their respective axes, a chuck mounted coaxially of and revoluble with the support, and releasable cable gripping means on the chuck.

2. In a machine of the character described, means for simultaneously rotating and advancing a cable, a chuck revoluble with said means, releasable means on the chuck for gripping the ends of a core and of wires to be wrapped around the core, and guide means for the core and the wrapping wires to guide the wrapping wires into wrapped position around the core on the rotation either of said chuck or of said cable rotating and advancing means.

3. In a machine for making continuous lengths for simultaneously advancing and rotating the core when the core is freed of said core-rotating means, means adapted to be clamped in a flied position for guiding wrapping wires to move substantially longitudinally and without rotation to a position around the rotating core. and means for releasing the guiding means to free said guiding means for movement longitudinally of and relatively to the core.

4. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, means for rotating a core, a wire guiding unit movable longitudinally of the core to cause wrapping wires to be wound around the core. and means for guiding said unit in its movement.-

5. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with-a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, means for rotating a core, a wire guiding unit movable longitudinally of the core to cause' wrapping wires to be wound around the core, means for guiding said unit in its movement, a receptacle rotatable only about an axis at substantially right angles to the direction of said movement for winding up the wrapped core, and means ior advancing the wrapped rotating core into said receptacle.

6. In a machine of the character described, means for directly gripping and rotating 8. core and wrapping wires, non-rotating longitudinally movable means for guiding non-rotating parts of the wrapping wires around the rotating core to wrap an initial length of the core, and means for fixing the non-rotating means against movement when the wrapped core is simultaneously rotated and advanced.

7. The method of making flexible shafting in continuous lengths comprising the step of'directly gripping and rotating a core and the ends of wrapping wires while wrapping other parts of the wrapping wires around the core for a predetermined length to initiate the wrapping of the core, then rotating and simultaneously advancing the thus wrapped core and guiding the remainder of the wrapping wires around the remainder of the rotating core while the core simultaneously advances the wrapping wires.

8. The method of making flexible shaftlng in continuous lengths comprising gripping a core and the ends of wrapping wires, rotating the thus gripped core and the ends of the wires simultaneously without advancing the core or the wires thereby to wrap succeeding parts of the wires around the rotating core for a predetermined length thereof to initiate the wrapping of the core, then' rotating and simultaneously advancing the thus wrapped core while guiding the remainder of the wrapping wires around the remainder of the rotating and advancing core.

9. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, revoluble means engaging the shafting for simultaneously rotating and longitudinally advancing the shafting in a substantially straight line path, a rotatable gripping member carried by said means and rotated thereby to rotate without advancing the shafting when the shafting is freed of said rotatable means, and relatively stationary means adapted to be released for longitudinal movement thereof for guiding and twisting the wrapping wires around the core on the advance and rotation of the shafting by the, revoluble means, and means for freeing said stationary means for longitudinal movement to wrap a length of the core when the core is rotated by said member.

10. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core,

a feed head including cooperating rolls for engaging and advancing the shafting, means for rotating the head and the rolls as a unit about the axis of the shafting while the rolls are in engagement therewith to rotate the shafting in a direction to wind the wrapping wires around the core, means responsive to the rotation of the head for rotating the rolls about their respective axes in a direction to advance the shafting longitudinally, and means for initiating the wrapping of the core comprising a normally inoperative member revoluble with said head, means for rendering said member operative to grip and rotate the shafting when the shafting is free of the head and is not advanced by the head, and normally stationary means operative to guide and twist the wrapping wires around the core on the rotation and advance of the shafting by the head, said normally stationary means being movable under the action of the wrapping wires to wrap the core when the shafting is rotated by said member without advance of the shafting.

11. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, a revoluble head having an axially arranged passage therethrough for the longitudinal movement of the shafting through the head in a straight line path, a plurality of pairs of circumferentially grooved coacting rolls mounted in the head for rotation about axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head, means for rotating said rolls about their respective axes on the rotation of the head, said rolls receiving the shafting in the grooves thereof and gripping, advancing and rotating the shafting on the rotation of the head, and means for rotating without advancing the core to initiate the wrapping of the wrapping wires around the core.

12. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, a pair of coacting shafting-gripping rolls, means for simultaneously rotating said rolls about their respective axes and about the axis of'the shafting to simultaneously advance and rotate the shafting, normally stationary means for guiding wrapping wires around the core during the advance and rotation of the shafting, and means for fixing said stationary means in its normal position and for releasing said stationary means for longitudinal movement to initiate the wrapping of wires about the core when the core is rotated without being advanced.

13. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, a pair of coacting shafting-gripping rolls, means for simultaneously rotating said rolls about their respective axes and about the axis of the shafting to simultaneously advance the shafting in a straight line path and rotate the shafting, stationary means for guiding wrapping wires around the core during the advance and rotation of the shafting, and means including a hollow container rotating only about an axis at substantially right angles to said straight line path andin unison with the rotation of the shafting for receiving therein and coiling the rotating shafting.

14. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, revoluble core-dispensing take-oil mechanism, spaced revoluble spools for the wrapping wires, a relatively stationary support for the spools, a relatively stationary wire wrapping unit responsive to rotation and advance ofthe'shafting, said unit being responsive to rotation only of the shafting to move longitudinally of the core and to wrap wires around a limited length of the core, and means for simultaneously advancing and rotating the shafting.

15. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, revoluble core-dispensing take-oil mechanism, spaced revoluble spools for the wrapping wires, a relatively stationary support for the spools, a relatively stationary wire wrapping unit responsive to rotation and advance of the shafting, means-for simultaneously advancing the shafting in a straight line substantially'horizontal path and rotating the shafting, a revoluble take-up mechanism including a hollow container, and means for rotating said container at the same speed of rotation as that of the shafting and about a vertical axis only. i 16. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, revoluble core-dispensing take-oil mechanism, relatively stationary wrapping-wire dispensing mechanism, relatively stationary guiding and wrapping mechanism, and revoluble means for simultaneously advancing and rotating the shafting and thereby causing operation of the guiding and wrapping mechanism, said last-mentioned mechanism being releasable for movement longitudinally of the core in response to rotation only of the core and the consequent action thereon of the wrapping wires.

1'7. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, relatively stationary means for guiding the wrapping wires into their wrapped positions around the core and movable for initiating the wrapping of the core when the core is rotated without advance thereof, and revoluble means including coacting rolls for simultaneously advancing and rotating the shafting and thereby causing operation of the guiding means.

18. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, relatively stationary means responsive to rotation of the shafting about its own axis and to longitudinal advance of the shafting for guiding the wrapping wires into their wrapped positions around the core, a revoluble take-off mechanism for the core including a hollow container for receiving the shafting in the interior thereof, said container being revoluble about a vertical axis only, a relatively fixed take-ofi means for the wrapping wires, and means including coacting rolls rotatable about their own axes and also rotatable around the core simultaneously for advancing the shafting in a straight line path and rotating the shaftingand thereby causing operation of the guiding means.

19. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, revoluble take-oil mechanism for the core, take-off mechanism for non-rotating take-off of the wrapping wires, normally stationary mechanism responsive to rotation and simultaneous advance of the core and also responsive to rotation only of the core and the action of the wrapping wires for guiding the wrapping wires around the core, revoluble mechanism for simultaneously advancing and retating the shafting and thereby causing operation of the guiding and wrapping means and for rotating the core without advancing the core when wrapping of an end portion of the core is initiated, a revoluble take-up mechanism for the shafting and means for rotating said take-up mechan'sm at the same speed of rotation as that of the shaftmg.

20. In a machine for making continuous lengths of flexible shafting provided with a core and with wrapping wires wound around the core, coacting revoluble gripping rolls for the shafting, means simultaneously to rotate the rolls bodily about the axis of the shafting and about the respective axes of the rolls to advance the shafting in a straight line path, and a revoluble take-up mechanism adapted to rotate at the same speed as that of the shafting and about a single axis only per endicular to said path.

21. In a machine of the character described, means for simultaneously rotating and longitudinally advancing a core comprising a plurality of pairs of grooved coacting rolls, the grooves 01' said rolls receiving and gripping the core and being arranged in the same plane, a support for the rolls revoluble about an axis coincident with the axis of the core, means for rotating the support, means for rotating the rolls about their respective axes comprising a fixed hollow shai't arranged coaxially of the support, a fixed worm on said shaft, a worm wheel carried by the support and revoluble about its own axis and also revoluble about the worm on the rotation of the support, and gearing operatively connecting the worm wheel to the rolls, a chuck revoluble with the support, and releasable means on the chuck for gripping the ends of a core and of wires to be wrapped around the core.

22. In a machine of the character described, means for directly gripping and rotating 9, core, a relatively fixed support for spools of wrapping wire, means movable longitudinally of the core for a limited distance and through which the wrapping wires are passed for guiding the wrapping wires around the rotating core to wrap an initial length of the core, means associated with the core gripping and rotating means for simultaneously advancing and rotating the wrapped core, and means for fixing said movable means against movement to wrap the core during the advance of the core.

CHARLES FISCHER. 

